3 sailors in court in alleged marriage fraud

[unhappycamper]

3 sailors in court in alleged marriage fraud
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 23, 2008 12:35:58 EDT

NORFOLK, Va. — Federal magistrates in Norfolk have denied bond to four Eastern European women arrested on charges of marrying sailors as a way to stay in the country.

The judges cited detainers placed on the women by immigration authorities, who plan to have the women deported.

Three sailors accused of marrying the women to get additional housing allowances also made their first court appearances Monday. A fourth, Nathaniel Reed II, failed to show.

Reed, Joseph P. Freese, Tristan C. Tucker and Benjamin J. Lampkin face charges of conspiracy, marriage fraud and making false statements. Magistrate Tommy Miller freed the three sailors pending trial.

The charges are part of an ongoing Navy and Justice Department investigation of marriage fraud.

Article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_sailormarriage_042208/